When Facing An Epidemic, Advocacy Is Key

Part 1 of 2

"Just that you people who are involved in advocacy, keep up the work. I have seen changes come about because of people becoming involved. It is these who are the real heroes in all this. Without advocacy, changes will not come about within the present system." Dr. Vincent Dole

We are confronted with it on a nearly daily basis: prescription pain killer

and heroin addiction and abuse have risen as one of the top two causes of

unnatural death in the United States at an alarming rate. Newspapers,

television reporters, and online journals report on the rise in heroin use

and the opioid addiction and overdose epidemic more than any other

medical topic. Local governments and law enforcement agencies are

asking themselves and the citizenry, “What can we do?” as they see their

NIDA News (National Institute on Drug Abuse)

ASAM Magazine (American Society of Addiction Medicine)

Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) Blog & Updates

Check out NAMA-R's SAMHSA-funded MARS Project!!

Methadone Saves Lives!

Methadone maintenance has been shown to reduce illicit heroin use, decrease the incidence of infectious disease (such as HIV and hepatitis), reduce criminal activity, improve social outcome & reduce mortality. Click the image to read more about the benefits of methadone...

Methadone Treatment is the "Most Effective Treatment"

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Methadone Treatment is the *most* effective treatment option for opioid addiction. Click the image to read more from the CDC...

Methadone Treatment is the "Standard of Care" for Pregnant Women

Methadone has been accepted since the late 1970's to treat opioid addiction during pregnancy and was recommended as the standard of care for the same by a NIH consensus panel in 1998. Click the image to read more about Methadone Treatment as the standard of care for pregnant women...